John Orcutt

How long have you been teaching at the University of New Hampshire School of Law?

18 years

 

What brought you here?

UNH Law, formerly the Franklin Pierce Law Center, was founded in large part to improve legal representation for inventors, scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs. The school’s founders were concerned that law schools were not doing enough to prepare attorneys for the information age or shape how intellectual property and other information-age laws were developing. When given the opportunity to join such a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial institution, I couldn’t say no.

 

What defines UNH Law?

UNH Law’s strength has always been its ability to see what’s coming next with the law and legal practice. When the school was founded in 1973, intellectual property was not a major focus in law schools. Yet the school recognized intellectual property’s coming importance with the rise of the information age. Today, the school focuses on training lawyers and legal professionals to operate in a world dominated by intellectual property, technology, and data rights. This is a world characterized by constant change and increasing complexity. We prepare students to thrive in this world by doing more than just teaching them the current state of law and practice. We also help them prepare for what is coming next.

 

Which courses do you teach?

• Business Associations
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Securities Regulation
• Valuation and the Law

 

What do you value most about working at UNH Law?

Our students—present and past. Our students have always been our most valuable asset. We attract the best and brightest people from all around the world. When they come together to study at UNH Law, they form a special bond that lasts for the rest of their lives.

 

What do you do in your leisure time?

I feel blessed to live in New Hampshire, which is full of stunning natural beauty. I spend my leisure time enjoying the outdoors. I climb mountains, hike, snowboard, and swim. I also love trail running.